Product Description

Given the huge impact of transnationals on human health, the environment, working conditions and the economic prospects of nations, is industry self-regulation sufficient? In the now famous case of the infant food industry, an estimated one and a half million babies still die unnecessarily every year as a result of formula feeding, almost two decades after the introduction the WHO/Unicef Code on the marketing of formula milk substitutes. How effective, therefore, has the Code been in changing industry behaviour? A key question, the author argues, is how to foster a favourable political climate for the practical regulation of TNCs. She advocates close attention to corporate conduct and TNC compliance with the regulatory codes that do exist. She explores the role of citizen action, national governments and international agencies. This book shows how powerful corporations can pay regard not only to the bottom line, but take their social responsibilties more seriously.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1805746 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
"This readable and well-documented study is recommended for international business and business ethics collections." --"Choice"
'Judith Richter provides a provocative and detailed account of corporate involvement in infant feeding. This book is comprehensive, cogently argued and clearly written. It provides the reader with a solid introduction to the concepts, actors and institutions historically and currently engaged with this subject. It should become a key reference for anyone interested in this topic or, in this era of globalization, the issue of corporate responsibility and accountability more generally.' - Sofia Gruskin, Director, International Health and Human Rights of the FXB Centre, USA
'The battle for meaningful corporate accountability is one the citizens of the world cannot afford to lose. Richter's book will be a great help to the world's civil society organizations as they develop effective strategies to control the dominant form of artificial life on the planet, the transnational corporation, for the sake of the lives, health and welfare of real people.' - George J. Annas, cofounder, Global Lawyers and Physicians, and author, "Some Choice: Law, Medicine & the Market"
'The prevailing political climate favours deregulation and privatization. The United Nations concludes a compact with the business world. Major corporations talk about self-regulation. Seminars and courses on business ethics abound. Amidst all of this Judith Richer raises the awkward question about curbing corporate power. Moreover, she does this in an expert manner and in highly accessible language. She has written a very timely, relevant and well-documented study that puts one of the mostessential questions of our time on the public agenda. How can society deal responsibly with corporate decisionmaking that affects public interest on a global scale but does not live up to such standards of good governance as public accountability?' - Cees J. Hamelink, professor of international communication, University of Amsterdam
., ."Richter presents a strong case for the need for corporate accountability, in the infant feeding i0industry..." - Journal of Human Lactation